Capacity Building Workshop for the sensitization of Prison Officers and NHRC nominees
A two-day workshop on "Prison Visiting System" in Maharashtra, was held at Jail Officers Training College, Yervada, Pune on August 21-22, 2006. The workshop was jointly organised by Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai and NHRC. It was a capacity building workshop meant primarily for NHRC's nominees to Jail Board of Visitors in Maharashtra. Superintendents of Eight Central Prison and four DIG Prisons were also invited. Dr Arvind Tiwari, Reader, Deptt. of Criminology and Correctional Administrations (TISS) and Shri Chaman Lal, Special Rapporteur, NHRC conducted the workshop.
The workshop was attended by 15 NHRC nominees and 13 Jail officials. Mr. Radhakant Saxena, retired IG Prison, Rajasthan and Dr. Murali Karnam both Consultants, Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) were associated as resource persons. PRAYAS and VARHAD two NGOs also took part in the workshop.
The workshop was inaugurated by Dr. Justice A.S. Anand, Chairperson, NHRC. Shri R.K. Bhargava, Secretary General, NHRC was also present at the inaugural session. The Chairperson, in his inaugural address, referred to the directions of the Mumbai High Court regarding appointment of NHRC's nominees to all the 33 jails in Maharashtra and highlighted the role of non-official visitors, as representatives of the civil society in improving Jail conditions. Describing the NHRC nominees as 'Eyes and Ears' of the Commission, he wanted them to realize the importance of their responsibilities and expectations of the Commission. He exhorted them to review periodically the state of Human Rights situation in the Prisons under their charge and satisfy themselves about implementation of the provisions of the jail manual relating to prisoners' basic needs and other rights. He urged the NHRC nominees to help the jail staff in running the prisons in a manner that makes it possible for the inmates to live a "humane and sensitive life". He advised them to give special attention to nutrition and education needs of children of women prisoners staying with their mothers. Narrating in a moving tone, the case of a mentally ill prisoner Ajay Ghosh of West Bengal which was dealt by him personally in his capacity as Chief Justice of India in 1999, the Chairperson emphasized the need for attention to problems of mentally ill prisoners. The unfortunate man was released from Jail and admitted to the missionaries of charity, Kolkata under the orders of the Supreme Court after suffering incarceration for 34 years. The Chairperson concluded his address by reminding the nominees about their status as a 'category apart' and urged them to take their job seriously, visit jails regularly, inspect living conditions and human rights situation and submit timely reports to the Commission.
The workshop was conducted in six sessions. In the 1st session on 21st August, the Special Rapporteur addressed the participants on various types of Human Right violations in prisons giving illustrations from his jail studies in different states. This evoked a long and lively discussion in which almost all the nominees and jail officials participated. In the 2nd Session Dr. Arvind Tiwari gave a critical overview of the efficacy of the Prison Visiting System and exhorted the nominees to share their experiences and express their difficulties and problems. This was followed by a very instructive session titled 'Best Practices in Prison Visiting System' by Shri R.K. Saxena, a retired IG Prison who is now working as Consultant with CHRI. In the 3rd session on August 21st, Dr. Murali Karnam, Consultant, CHRI made a presentation on Prison Visiting System in Andhra Pradesh. Both Shri Saxena and Dr. Murali clarified a number of issues raised by the participants.
The 4th Session on August 22nd started with the sharing of experiences by the nominees. This turned out to be the most lively and useful session because of almost 100% participation of the Nominees as well as Jail officials. A brief presentation by IG Prison, Maharashtra on Prison Infrastructure in Maharashtra proved useful in clarifying the role of NHRC nominees and the difficulties they would normally encounter.
The 5th Session was allotted to the role of voluntary organizations in Prisons. Two NGOs namely PRAYAS and VARHAD made presentations highlighting their work on Prisons in the field of literacy, education, legal aid and rehabilitation. In the 6th and last Session, the Special Rapporteur and Dr. Arvind Tiwari drew up an Action Plan for effective operationalization of the Prison Visiting System having NHRC nominees.
Shri B.J. Misar a retired D.G.P. of Maharashtra who has been very active in social field over the past 10 years delivered the Valedictory address and distributed certificates to the participants. The workshop concluded with a Vote of thanks by Special Rapporteur.
The workshop was attended by 15 NHRC nominees and 13 Jail officials. Mr. Radhakant Saxena, retired IG Prison, Rajasthan and Dr. Murali Karnam both Consultants, Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) were associated as resource persons. PRAYAS and VARHAD two NGOs also took part in the workshop.
The workshop was inaugurated by Dr. Justice A.S. Anand, Chairperson, NHRC. Shri R.K. Bhargava, Secretary General, NHRC was also present at the inaugural session. The Chairperson, in his inaugural address, referred to the directions of the Mumbai High Court regarding appointment of NHRC's nominees to all the 33 jails in Maharashtra and highlighted the role of non-official visitors, as representatives of the civil society in improving Jail conditions. Describing the NHRC nominees as 'Eyes and Ears' of the Commission, he wanted them to realize the importance of their responsibilities and expectations of the Commission. He exhorted them to review periodically the state of Human Rights situation in the Prisons under their charge and satisfy themselves about implementation of the provisions of the jail manual relating to prisoners' basic needs and other rights. He urged the NHRC nominees to help the jail staff in running the prisons in a manner that makes it possible for the inmates to live a "humane and sensitive life". He advised them to give special attention to nutrition and education needs of children of women prisoners staying with their mothers. Narrating in a moving tone, the case of a mentally ill prisoner Ajay Ghosh of West Bengal which was dealt by him personally in his capacity as Chief Justice of India in 1999, the Chairperson emphasized the need for attention to problems of mentally ill prisoners. The unfortunate man was released from Jail and admitted to the missionaries of charity, Kolkata under the orders of the Supreme Court after suffering incarceration for 34 years. The Chairperson concluded his address by reminding the nominees about their status as a 'category apart' and urged them to take their job seriously, visit jails regularly, inspect living conditions and human rights situation and submit timely reports to the Commission.
The workshop was conducted in six sessions. In the 1st session on 21st August, the Special Rapporteur addressed the participants on various types of Human Right violations in prisons giving illustrations from his jail studies in different states. This evoked a long and lively discussion in which almost all the nominees and jail officials participated. In the 2nd Session Dr. Arvind Tiwari gave a critical overview of the efficacy of the Prison Visiting System and exhorted the nominees to share their experiences and express their difficulties and problems. This was followed by a very instructive session titled 'Best Practices in Prison Visiting System' by Shri R.K. Saxena, a retired IG Prison who is now working as Consultant with CHRI. In the 3rd session on August 21st, Dr. Murali Karnam, Consultant, CHRI made a presentation on Prison Visiting System in Andhra Pradesh. Both Shri Saxena and Dr. Murali clarified a number of issues raised by the participants.
The 4th Session on August 22nd started with the sharing of experiences by the nominees. This turned out to be the most lively and useful session because of almost 100% participation of the Nominees as well as Jail officials. A brief presentation by IG Prison, Maharashtra on Prison Infrastructure in Maharashtra proved useful in clarifying the role of NHRC nominees and the difficulties they would normally encounter.
The 5th Session was allotted to the role of voluntary organizations in Prisons. Two NGOs namely PRAYAS and VARHAD made presentations highlighting their work on Prisons in the field of literacy, education, legal aid and rehabilitation. In the 6th and last Session, the Special Rapporteur and Dr. Arvind Tiwari drew up an Action Plan for effective operationalization of the Prison Visiting System having NHRC nominees.
Shri B.J. Misar a retired D.G.P. of Maharashtra who has been very active in social field over the past 10 years delivered the Valedictory address and distributed certificates to the participants. The workshop concluded with a Vote of thanks by Special Rapporteur.